Hidden Yellowtail Restaurant in Mangwon-dong - Enjoying Winter Delicacies at Bonjeon Hoetjip

Curious About the Yellowtail Sashimi I Saw on Instagram

As the weather gets colder, I naturally start craving yellowtail. I kept thinking about the thick yellowtail sashimi I saw on Instagram, so I asked a friend, and they highly recommended "Bonjeon Hoetjip in Mangwon-dong is really delicious." I was hesitant to try Bada Hoesarang because of the long wait, but this place is a hidden gem known by locals, so they told me I must visit.

So last weekend, I went with a friend! To get straight to the point... it was amazing ㅠㅠ

Getting There Is Easier Than You Think

It's about a 5-minute walk from Exit 2 of Mangwon Station. It's next to Seongsan Elementary School, so it wasn't hard to find. However, parking is a bit tricky, so I recommend using public transportation.

When we arrived in front of the store, it was smaller than I expected. There are about 5 table seats and 3 floor seats inside, and we sat at a table seat. It's convenient for going to the restroom ㅎㅎ

First Impressions and Store Atmosphere

As soon as we entered, we saw the walls covered with autographs of famous people. I thought, "Ah, this is a real hidden gem." The owner was very friendly, and it had a warm atmosphere with many local regulars.

The menu showed that basic sashimi had fixed prices, while seasonal sashimi like yellowtail was priced at market value. That day, 3 servings of large yellowtail were 98,000 won, and I thought, "Oh? That's a bit expensive?" but later realized it was a very reasonable price.

There's a Wait, But It's Worth It

Luckily, we were able to sit right away when we went, but usually, there's a 30-minute to 1-hour wait. You can leave your phone number and wait at a nearby cafe, so it doesn't seem too burdensome.

A tip is to go around 4:30 PM when they open, so you can enter without waiting!

The Ordering Process and Menu Choices

The menu had various combinations like large yellowtail, flounder + rockfish, and sole + rockfish. It was interesting that you could choose the thickness of the sashimi. You can choose between thin, medium, and thick, but we just went with the recommended thick option!

The Menu We Ordered

3 servings of large yellowtail 98,000 won

Spicy fish stew added 7,000 won

2 bottles of Terra beer

The owner asked, "If you eat a lot of sashimi, should I give you more sashimi instead of the basic side dishes?" This kind of thoughtful consideration was really nice.

The Amazing Basic Side Dishes!

Before the food came out, the basic side dishes were served... and I almost got full just from these ㅋㅋ

Steamed eggs, pancakes, freshly fried shrimp tempura, french fries, and corn butter! The shrimp tempura was especially crispy and delicious. The oil was clean, so it wasn't greasy at all.

And the most surprising thing was the assorted side dishes! We got 3 each of sea squirt, pen shell, live octopus, and oysters since there were 3 of us, and it was really fun to eat. Especially a shot of sea squirt liquor with sea squirt... it goes perfectly with soju!

The Majestic Appearance of the Large Yellowtail

And finally, the large yellowtail arrived! The expression "brilliant" fits perfectly. As soon as I saw the glossy, thick yellowtail sashimi, I thought, "Ah, this is why people crave yellowtail in winter."

As soon as I took the first bite... wow, it really melts in your mouth ㅠㅠ It had just the right amount of oil, wasn't fishy, and the savory taste increased as you chewed, which was truly an art. My friend kept exclaiming, "The yellowtail here is really different."

Especially when you put a piece of yellowtail on seaweed, add radish sprouts, chili, and ssamjang, and wrap it... this was truly heavenly. It was a perfect combination with aged kimchi too!

Perfect Ending with Spicy Fish Stew

Even though we were quite full, we wanted to try the spicy fish stew, so we ordered it. And it turned out to be a brilliant decision!

The broth was really refreshing and clean, with a deep flavor from the yellowtail bones... even though we were full, we kept eating it. We added ramen noodles and finished every last drop ㅋㅋ

How's the Value for Money?

Initially, I thought 98,000 won was a bit expensive, but after eating, it was enough for 3 people to eat to their heart's content and still have leftovers. Compared to other famous yellowtail places, it's actually more affordable, and considering the quality of the sashimi and service, it's really a reasonable price.

Especially, it's rare to find a place where the basic side dishes and assorted side dishes are this good. Here, I felt like I got my money's worth ㅎㅎ

Insider Tips for Visiting!

Enjoy These Nearby Attractions

Near Bonjeon Hoetjip, there's Mangwon Market and Hangang Park, making it perfect for a post-meal walk. Especially in winter, walking by the Han River with the wind has its own charm.

Mangwon-dong cafes are also famous, so going to a dessert cafe after eating yellowtail seems like a good course!

Honest Overall Review

It's been a long time since I've had such satisfying yellowtail sashimi. It's amazing to know there's such a great place besides those with crazy waits like Bada Hoesarang or Uribada Susan.

I can definitely see why locals in Mangwon-dong cherish this place. The sashimi is fresh, the service is good, the price is reasonable... it's hard to find any shortcomings.

If I crave yellowtail again, I'll definitely come here. Next time, I want to try sole or flounder. I'm already looking forward to tasting different seasonal sashimi!

If you love yellowtail sashimi, I highly recommend it! Just be prepared for the wait ㅎㅎ